My name is: Livvi
I came from: Cyprus
Now I live in: Winchester, Hampshire
My favourite things are: every human, especially the small ones; going in the car; swimming and paddling in every bit of water I can find; playing with my rescue brother and sister

Livvi’s story

Following a lot of change over the previous couple of years, I decided in early 2021 that the time was right to rescue another dog. I already have two older rescue dogs, who were rescued almost ten years ago, and I wanted to introduce a dog before either of my older two were at a point when it would be too stressful for them. I initially contacted Underdog about another dog, but Eve was looking for a single dog household for that particular rescue. However, Livvi (called Olivia at the time) was newly rescued, having been found having had puppies herself very young.

Eve sent me loads of videos and pictures, and I felt that she would be a perfect match. After a small delay due to the complexities of bringing dogs from Cyprus immediately post-pandemic, Livvi arrived for the handover in July 2021, and the nerves I had disappeared when she was let out of the van, and I sat with her in my car, with her upside down sleeping on my knee. She settled beautifully with my other two dogs, and instantly bonded with my two children. The most amazing thing for me was when I struggled with some significant health problems at the start of 2022, and having Livvi was the most comforting and supporting presence I could ever have hoped for.

Livvi struggled initially with some separation anxiety overnight, which included peeling wallpaper from walls, and destroying doormats, but she very quickly settled and over the next couple of months the chewing and her anxiety subsided. To this day she is very human centred, and loves being in the company of people. After she had been with me a few months (delayed due to school summer holidays and some short-term complications from spaying) I began taking her to training classes, and on school runs. She loved being in the company of children at the school gate, and earlier this year, I was asked by the school if I would consider training her as a therapy dog to work with some of the children. She will be taking her Kennel Club training exam shortly, and I plan to then train her as a therapy dog with Underdog. A few months after she arrived, I also had Livvi DNA tested as I was constantly asked what breed she was. I was surprised at the results that showed she was mostly Labrador and Husky, despite weighing only 15kg.

Underdog were amazing during the rescue process, and Leanne checked in with me regularly to see how Livvi was doing and if I needed anything. I was kept up to date through the adoption process and even though Livvi has been the ‘easiest’ rescue I have ever had, knowing that I have had their support even 15 months post-adoption has been hugely reassuring and helpful. In fact, I have had so many people ask me where she from that I have been able to recommend Underdog to many people looking to rescue (I’ve even managed to convert couple of people who were planning to buy a puppy to the rescue dog cause!). I’m so grateful to Underdog for bringing her to me!

- Ailsa